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Aida, an Ethiopian princess - soprano The King of Egypt - bass Amneris, daughter of the King - mezzo-soprano Radames, Captain of the Guard - tenor Amonasro, King of Ethiopia - baritone Ramfis, high Priest - bass A messenger - tenor Voice of the High Priestess - soprano Priests, priestesses, ministers, captains, soldiers, officials, Ethiopians, slaves and prisoners, Egyptians, animals and chorus Prelude Scene One A hall in the royal palace at Memphis (Left and right, a colonnade decorated with statues and flowering shrubs. Rear, a great door beyond which can be seen temples, the palaces of Memphis and the pyramids.) RAMFIS Yes, it is rumoured that the Ethiopian has dared to challenge us again, threatening Thebes and the valley of the Nile. Shortly a messenger will bring us the details. RADAMÈS Have you consulted Holy Isis? RAMFIS She has named the supreme commander of the Egyptian armies. RADAMÈS Oh, fortunate man! RAMFIS (looking steadily at Radamès, meaningfully) He is young and brave. Now I shall go to inform the King of the deity’s decree. (Ramfis goes out.) RADAMÈS (solo) If only that warrior were I! If my dream might come true! An army of brave men, led by me – victory, and the applause of all Memphis! To return to you, my sweet Aida, decked with the victor’s laurels, to say. “I fought, I won for you!” Heavenly Aida, divine form, mystic garland of light and flowers, you are the queen of my thought, you are the splendour of my life. That I might bring you once more the blue skies, the soft breezes of your native land, a royal crown to deck your brow, a royal throne for you, in the sun! Oh, heavenly Aida, divine form, mystic halo of light and flowers, you are the queen, etc. (Amneris enters.) AMNERIS What rare joy shines on your face! What noble pride flashes in your eyes! How enviable indeed would be that woman whose beloved face might kindle so joyful a light in you! RADAMÈS My heart was lost in an adventurous dream. Today the goddess has named the warrior who will lead the Egyptian legions into battles. Ah! if I were chosen for such an honour... AMNERIS Was it not perhaps some greater, sweeter dream which spoke to your heart? Have you no desires, no hopes, here in Memphis? RADAMÈS I! (What an interrogation! Perhaps she has discovered the secret love which burns in my heart... perhaps she has read in my thoughts her slave-girl’s name!) AMNERIS (Oh, woe if love for another should burn in his heart! Woe to him if my eyes should see through this fatal mystery!) RADAMÈS (seeing Aida) It is she! AMNERIS (to herself) He is moved! The glance with which he looked at her! Aida! Could it be she who is my rival? (turning to Aida) Come, my child, come near me. You are neither slave nor handmaiden here, where for love of you I have called you sister. You weep? Tell me the reason for your tears, tell me your secret. AIDA Alas, I have heard the frightful war cry sounds, I fear for my country, for myself, for you. AMNERIS Is this true? No greater care disturbs you? (aside, looking at Aida) Ah! Tremble, evil slave, tremble! Let me sound your heart! Tremble, for the truth is clear to me when I see your tears, your blushes! RADAMÈS (aside, looking at Amneris) In her face, anger and suspicion blaze like a fire. Woe if our secret love she should ever read in our hearts! AIDA (to herself) No, not only for my country is my heart in anguish; the tears I shed are the tears of unhappy love! (The King enters, preceded by his guard and followed by Ramfis, ministers, priests, officers and others.) THE KING High reasons of state have led me to summon you, O faithful Egyptians. A messenger has arrived from Ethiopia. He brings grave tidings. Hear them now. (to an officer) Let the messenger come forward. (The messenger enters.) MESSENGER The sacred soil of Egypt has been invaded by the fierce Ethiopian. Our fields have been laid waste, our crops burned. Spurred on by this easy victory, the foe is marching now on Thebes. ALL They dare to do this! MESSENGER A fierce, relentless warrior heads them – Amonasro! ALL The King himself! AIDA (to herself) My father! MESSENGER Thebes, already in arms, will fall upon the barbarian invader from her hundred gates, spreading war and death. THE KING Yes! Let war and death be our battle cry! ALL War! War! etc. Tremendous, pitiless war! THE KING (coming near to Radamès) Holy Isis has already named the leader of our invincible legions: Radamès! ALL Radamès! RADAMÈS Ah! praised be the gods! My prayers are answered! AMNERIS (to herself) He, the leader! AIDA (to herself) I am afraid! MINISTERS and CAPTAINS Radamès! Radamès! THE KING Go now, O warrior, to the Temple of Vulcan. There put on the sacred arms; go forth to victory! Onward! Go forth, Egyptian heroes, to the sacred banks of the Nile. From every heart let the cry sound out – War and death, death to the invader! RAMFIS Glory to the gods! Let all remember, it is they who rule our destinies. Only the power of the gods can dictate the warrior’s fate. Let all remember that only the power, etc. MINISTERS and CAPTAINS Onward! May our breasts be a fortress shielding the sacred banks of the Nile. Let no cry sound but our united cry, War, war and death to the invader! etc. THE KING Go forth, Egyptian heroes, etc. AIDA (to herself) For whom do I weep? For whom do I pray? What power binds be to him? I must love him, yet he is, the enemy of my country! RADAMÈS A sacred thrill of glory runs through my heart. Onward, let us hasten to victory! War and death to the invader! AMNERIS (bearing a banner which she presents to Radamès) Accept, O leader, from my hands this glorious banner; may it be as a light and a guide on the road to victory. THE KING Onward, Egyptian heroes, etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Glory to the Gods, etc. MINISTERS and CAPTAINS Onward! May our breasts, etc. RADAMÈS, MESSENGER Onward, let us hasten to victory, etc. AMNERIS May it be as a light, etc. ALL War! War! etc. Death to the invader, etc. AMNERIS Return victorious! ALL Return victorious! (They all leave, except Aida.) AIDA Return victorious! My lips have spoken the traitorous words! Victorious over my father, who takes up arms for me, to give me again a country, a kingdom and a great name, which here I must hide. Victorious over my brothers – that I may see him, stained with the beloved blood, welcomed in triumph by Egypt! And behind his chariot, a King. my father, in chains! My mad word, O gods, efface! Send back this child to her father’s heart. Destroy the legions of our oppressors! Wretched girl, what have I said? And my love? Can I, then, forget this burning love, which, as a wretched slave, I welcome in rapture like a ray of the sun? Shall I invoke death upon Radamès, him whom I love so much? Ah, never on earth has a broken heart known such anguish! The sacred words father and lover – I can no longer speak them, nor remember. For each, in my fear and confusion, I should like to pray, to weep. But my prayer changes to cursing – tears, for me, are criminal; so too my sighs. My mind is lost in a bitter night, and in such cruel anguish I wish to die. Oh! gods, have pity on my suffering! There is no hope for my sorrow! Fatal love, fearful love, break my heart and let me die! Oh! gods, have pity on my suffering! etc. Scene Two Interior of the temple of Vulcan at Memphis (A mysterious light shines down from above. There is a low row of columns, disappearing in the distance. Statues of various gods. At mid-scene, on a scaffolding covered with tapestries, stands the altar decorated with sacred symbols. The smoke of incense rises from censers swung on golden tripods. Priests and priestesses. Ramfis is at the foot of the altar.) PRIESTESS Mighty, mighty Phtha, life-giving spirit of the world, ah! WITH CHORUS OF PRIESTESSES We invoke thee! RAMFIS and PRIESTS Thou, who from nothingness didst draw the seas, the earth, the heavens, we invoke thee! PRIESTESS Great, great Phtha, fruitful spirit of the world, ah! WITH CHORUS OF PRIESTESSES We invoke thee! RAMFIS and PRIESTS God, who art of they spirit both son and father, we invoke thee! PRIESTESS Uncreated, eternal flame, which sparked the sun, ah! WITH CHORUS OF PRIESTESSES We invoke thee! RAMFIS and PRIESTS Life of the Universe, mythus of eternal love, we invoke thee! PRIESTESSES Great Phtha! RAMFIS and PRIESTS We invoke thee! (Radamès is brought into the temple. He carries no weapons. As he goes to the altar, the priestesses perform the sacred dance. The priests, meanwhile, place a silver veil over Radamès’s head.) PRIESTESS Great Phtha! RAMFIS and PRIESTS We invoke thee! RAMFIS (to Radamès) O youth beloved of the gods, you hold in trust the destiny of Egypt. May the sacred sword, tempered by the gods, become in your hand blazing terror and death for the enemy. PRIESTS May the sacred sword, etc. RAMFIS (to the god) O god, custodian and avenger of this sacred land, lift thy hand over the land of Egypt. RADAMÈS O god, leader and judge of every earthly battle, protect thou, defend thou the sacred soil of Egypt! etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Lift thy hand Over the land of Egypt. O god, custodian and avenger, etc. (While Radamès is being invested with the sacred arms, the priests and priestesses resume the sacred hymn and the mystic dance.) ALL Mighty Phtha, creator of the world, etc. Scene One A room in the apartments of Amneris (Amneris is surrounded by slaves girls, who are dressing her for the victory celebration. Incense is burning in censers swung from tripods. Youthful Moorish slaves dance about her as they wave great feather fans.) SLAVE-GIRLS O hero, who, to the sounds of hymns and praise, set forth on the flight to glory, like some god of terror, blazing like the sun, come, on your head shall shower the blossoms won from the laurel, and together the songs of glory shall sound with the songs of love. AMNERIS (to herself) Ah, come, my love, bring madness and blessed peace to my heart! SLAVE-GIRLS Now where are the barbaric hordes of the mighty invader? Like mist, they faded away at the first breath of our champion. Come, victorious warrior, come take the prize of glory; victory has smiled upon you, on you love too shall smile. AMNERIS (to herself) Ah, come, my love, give new life to me, once more, with the words of love! Dance of the Moorish slaves SLAVE-GIRLS Come, on your head, shall shower, etc. AMNERIS Ah, come, my love, etc. Silence! Aida is coming. Child of the vanquished, grief is sacred. (At a sign from Amneris, all withdraw.) Seeing her now, the fearful doubt awakens in me again – now I shall penetrate this fatal secret! (to Aida, with feigned tenderness) The fortunes of war have gone against your people! Poor Aida! Your heart’s grief I share with you. I am your friend. You shall have whatever you wish from me. You shall be happy. AIDA Can I be happy, far from my homeland, knowing nothing of the fate of my father and my brothers? AMNERIS I weep for you. But there are limits to earthly sorrow. Time will quiet the anguish of your heart – and, more than time, a powerful god – Love! AIDA (to herself) Love, love! Tormenting joy, sweet rapture, cruel anxiety! In thy sorrow I find my life, in thy smile, I find heaven itself. In thy sorrow, etc. AMNERIS (to herself) Ah, her pallor, her confusion betray the secret fever of love! I fear to question her, for I share the anxiety of her heart! (to Aida) What new anguish disturbs you, sweet Aida? Tell me your secret, trust in my friendship. Among those brave men who fought and conquered your homeland, was there perhaps one whom you loved? AIDA What do you mean? AMNERIS Not to all has fate been cruel, since our fearless leader has died on the battlefield – AIDA What did you say? Oh! wretched! AMNERIS Yes, Radamès was killed by your people... AIDA Alas! AMNERIS And can you weep? AIDA I shall never cease my weeping! AMNERIS The gods have avenged you! AIDA The gods have always been against me. AMNERIS Tremble! I have read your heart – you love him – AIDA I! AMNERIS Do not lie! One more word and I shall know. Look into my eyes, I deceived – Radamès alive! AIDA Alive! Oh, praised be the gods! AMNERIS And you still hope to lie to me? Yes, you love him! But I too love him, do you hear? I am your rival, I, daughter of the Pharaohs! AIDA My rival! Then so be it, for I too am – Ah, what am I saying? Have pity on me; forgive me, ah! Let pity for my sorrow move you. It is true, I love him deeply. You are happy, you are powerful, in my life there is nothing but my love! etc. AMNERIS Fear me now, you slave! Let your heart break; this love can mean your death. I am master of your fate, and my heart rages with hate and vengeance! AIDA You are happy, etc. AMNERIS Fear me, you slave, etc. CHORUS (outside) Onward! May our breasts be a fortress shielding the sacred banks of the Nile! Let no cry sound but our united cry, war and death to the invader! AMNERIS In the Triumph now being made ready, you shall take part with me. O slave! You, prostrate in the dust, I at the King’s side, on the throne! AIDA Ah, have pity! What is left for me? My life is a desert. Live, reign – soon I shall appease your anger. This love which distresses you will die with me, in the tomb. AMNERIS Come, follow me. You shall see if you are worthy to do battle with me, etc. AIDA Ah, have pity, etc. AMNERIS ...if you are worthy, etc. CHORUS (outside) War and death to the invader! (Amneris goes out.) AIDA O gods, take pity on my suffering! There is no hope for my sorrow! etc. Scene Two A gate of the city of Thebes (In the foreground, a group of palm trees. Right, the Temple of Ammon; left, a throne covered by a purple baldaquin. To the rear, a triumphal gate. The scene is crowded with people. The King enters, followed by ministers, priests, captains, standard-bearers, slaves bearing huge feather fans, etc. Then Amneris enters, accompanied by Aida and slave-girls. The King takes his place on the throne, and Amneris takes her place at his left.) POPULACE Glory to Egypt and to Isis, protectress of the sacred land! To the King who rules the Delta joyful hymns we sing! etc. WOMEN Weave the lotus and the laurel into a crown for the victors! Let a soft cloud of flowers veil the steel of their arms. Let us dance, Egyptian maidens, the mystic dances, as, around the sun, the stars dance in the sky! PRIESTS Lift your eyes to the gods, the arbiters of victory; give thanks to the gods on this happy day, etc. POPULACE As, around the sun, etc. PRIESTS Give thanks to the gods, etc. Triumphal March Ballet (The Egyptian troops, following the trumpeters, pass in review before the King. After them come the chariots, the ensigns, the sacred vessels and the statues of the gods. A band of dancing-girls bear the treasure won from the enemy. Finally Radamès enters, borne in a litter covered with a baldaquin carried by twelve captains.) POPULACE Come, O conquering hero, come, rejoice with us. At the feet of our heroic warriors we cast our flowers and laurel leaves. Glory! etc. PRIESTS To the gods, supreme arbiters, etc. Give thanks to the gods, etc. THE KING (descending from his throne to embrace Radamès) Saviour of the fatherland, I salute you. Come, receive from my daughter’s hand the triumphal wreath. (Radamès bows before Amneris, who offers him the crown.) Now ask of me whatever you will. Nothing shall be denied you on this day – I swear it by my crown, by the sacred gods. RADAMÈS Before I reply, let the prisoners be brought before you. (The Ethiopian prisoners enter, escorted by the guards, Amonasro, dressed as an officer, comes last.) RAMFIS and PRIESTS Give thanks to the gods, etc. AIDA What do I see? He? My father! ALL Her father! AMNERIS In our power! AIDA You! A prisoner! AMONASRO (to Aida, softly) Do not betray me. THE KING (to Amonasro) Come here. Now, who are you? AMONASRO Her father, I too fought. We were conquered. I sought death in vain. (indicating his uniform) This uniform is witness that I defended my King and my country. Fate was our enemy, our courage was in vain. In the dust at my feet lay my King, dead of his wounds. If love of one’s country is a crime, then we are all guilty, and ready to die. (turning to the King, in a pleading voice) But you, O King, are a mighty lord. Look with mercy on these captives. Today we are laid low by fate: tomorrow, such might be your lot. AIDA But you, O King, are a mighty lord, etc. SLAVE-GIRLS and PRISONERS Yes, we are laid low by the gods, and we beseech your mercy upon us. Ah, may you never have to suffer what today we are suffering! etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Destroy, O King, these ferocious slaves, close your heart to their traitorous pleas, the gods have condemned them to die, let the will of the gods be done! etc. SLAVE-GIRLS and PRISONERS Have mercy! Have mercy! Have mercy! POPULACE Priests, oh calm this fury, hear their humble prayers. And you, O mighty King, open your heart to mercy! etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Put them to death! To death! Destroy, O King, this rabble, etc. SLAVE-GIRLS and PRISONERS We beseech your mercy, etc. AIDA and AMONASRO But you, O King are a mighty lord, etc. RADAMÈS (to himself) The grief which speaks through her eyes makes her lovelier still in my sight. Each tear of my beloved’s eyes deepens my love for her, etc. AMNERIS (to herself) How he looked upon her! What flames light up their eyes! And I – alone, abject, repulsed? Vengeance cries out in my heart, etc. THE KING Now that fortune smiles upon us, let us be merciful towards our victims; for mercy is good in the sight of the gods, mercy confirms the power of the prince, etc. RADAMÈS (turning to the King) O King, you swore in the name of the gods, and by the splendour of your crown. You swore to grant me my wish. THE KING I have sworn. RADAMÈS Then, for the Ethiopian prisoners I ask you for life, for freedom. AMNERIS (to herself) For all! PRIESTS Death to the enemy! POPULACE Mercy on the wretches! RAMFIS Hear me, O King. (to Radamès) You too. youthful hero, hear my wise counsel. They are the enemy and they are brave. Their hearts are eager for revenge. Encouraged by our mercy, they will take up arms again! RADAMÈS If Amonasro, the warrior king, is dead, they can no longer hope to fight us. RAMFIS At least, as a pledge of peace, let Aida, with her father, remain with us. THE KING I yield to your good counsel. And now I give you a greater pledge of peace; Radamès, the fatherland owes everything to you. The hand of Amneris shall be you reward. One day, with her, you shall rule over Egypt. AMNERIS (to herself) Let the slave try to steal my love – if she dares! THE KING and POPULACE Glory to Egypt and to Isis, protectress of the sacred land. Weave the lotus and the laurel into a crown for the victor! etc. SLAVE-GIRLS and PRISONERS Glory to merciful Egypt, which has dissolved our bonds, which sends us once again to the free fields of our native land! etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Let us sing hymns to Isis, protectress of the sacred land. Let us pray that the fates may be forever auspicious to our nation, etc. AIDA (to herself) What hope now is left to me? For him – glory and the throne, for me – oblivion and the tears of a hopeless love, etc. RADAMÈS (to himself) The lightning of an enemy god has struck me. Ah, no, the throne of Egypt is not worth Aida’s heart, etc. AMNERIS (to himself) I am intoxicated with unforeseen joy; in one single day, all the dreams of my heart have come true, etc. RAMFIS Let us pray that the fates, etc. THE KING and POPULACE Glory to Isis, etc. AMONASRO (to Aida) Be brave, wait patiently for happier days for our land. For us the day of revenge is already dawning, etc. POPULACE Glory to Egypt and to Isis, protectress of the sacred land! Weave the lotus and the laurel into a crown for the victor! etc. RADAMÈS (aside) What an unlooked-for blow has fallen upon my head, etc. AMNERIS (aside) All the dreams of my heart, etc. AMONASRO (aside to Aida) Be brave, etc. AIDA (aside) For me oblivion, etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS Let us sing hymns to Isis, etc. SLAVE-GIRLS and PRISONERS Glory to merciful Egypt, etc. The banks of the Nile (Granite rocks, interspersed with palm trees. At the summit of the rocks, the Temple of Isis, half-hidden by the palms. It is a clear, starry night, a bright moon is shining.) CHORUS (in the temple) O thou, eternal mother and spouse of Osiris, goddess, who dost awaken the chaste fire in human hearts, succour us in thy mercy, O mother of infinite love! etc. (A boat draws up at the riverbank. Amneris, Ramfis, together with a group of heavily veiled women and guards, alight from the boat.) RAMFIS (to Amneris) Come to the temple of Isis, to beseech the Goddess’s favour on the eve of your wedding. Isis reads in the hearts of mortals; every human mystery is known to her. AMNERIS Yes, I shall pray that Radamès give me his whole heart, as my heart is given in sacred love, forever, to him. RAMFIS Let us go. You will pray until dawn. I shall stay with you. (All enter the temple.) CHORUS Succour us in thy mercy, etc. (Aida enters, furtively. She is veiled.) AIDA Radamès will come here. What will he say? I tremble. Ah! if you come, cruel man, to bid me a last farewell, in the dark eddies of the Nile I shall find my tomb, perhaps peace – but at least, oblivion! O fatherland, I shall never see you again! O blue skies, soft breezes of my homeland, where I lived out the quiet morning of my life, O grassy hills, O fragrant streams, O fatherland, I shall never see you again! etc. O cool valleys, blessed, peaceful haven, one day promised me by love, now that the dream of love is gone, O fatherland, I shall never see you again! etc. (Amonasro enters.) Heaven! My father! AMONASRO A grave matter has brought me here, Aida. Nothing escapes my eyes. Love for Radamès is killing you. He loves you too. You are waiting for him. The daughter of the Pharaohs is your rival – Princess of a hated race, our deadly enemy. AIDA And I am in her power! I, the daughter of Amonasro! AMONASRO In her power! No! if you wish, you can defeat your powerful rival, and fatherland, throne and love will all be yours. You will see again our fragrant forests, the cool valleys and the golden temples. AIDA 1 shall see again our fragrant forests, the cool valleys and the golden temples. AMONASRO Happy bride of the one you love, you shall know great joys at last. AIDA One day of such enchantment, one hour of such great joy – then I can die! AMONASRO You have not forgotten that pitiless Egypt defiled our altars, temples and homes, carrying off our maidens in slavery, murdering our mothers, our old men and out children? AIDA Ah, I remember well those unhappy days, and the mournful sorrow which filled my heart! Ah, grant, O gods, that for us may return the dawn of this peaceful days for which we pray. AMONASRO Remember... It cannot be long delayed. Our people even now are ready for battle; all is prepared, and we shall conquer. One thing is lacking – for me to know the route that the enemy will follow. AIDA Who could find out? Who? AMONASRO You could! AIDA I! AMONASRO I know you are waiting for Radamès. He loves you. He is the Egyptian captain. Do you understand? AIDA A horrid thought! What are you asking of me? No, never! AMONASRO (fiercely) Arise then soldiers of Egypt! Sack and burn our cities! Spread terror, rape and death! There is no rein now to your fury! AIDA Ah, father! father! AMONASRO (repulsing her) You call yourself my daughter! AIDA Have pity! AMONASRO Waves of blood are flowing over the vanquished cities. See – from the black swirls the dead arise. They point at you and cry, “Because of you, our country dies!” AIDA Have pity! Father, have pity! AMONASRO A horrid spectre rises in the shadows before us. Tremble, for over your head it lifts its bony arms. It is your mother – see her, she is cursing you! AIDA (terrified) Ah! father! no! have pity! etc. AMONASRO (repulsing her) You are not my daughter! You are the slave of the Pharaohs! AIDA Ah! Have pity! Have pity! Father, I am not their slave. Do not curse me nor revile me – you will call be daughter again, for I shall be worthy of my country. AMONASRO Remember that a whole people, conquered and suffering, can rise again through you! AIDA O fatherland, what a price I must pay, for thee! AMONASRO Be brave! He is coming now. I shall hear all. (He hides among the palms. Radamès enters.) RADAMÈS At last I am with you, again, sweet Aida. AIDA Stop go away! What do you want from me? RADAMÈS It is love which brings me to you. AIDA But the rites of another love await you. Married to Amneris – RADAMÈS What are you saying? You, Aida, are the only one I can love. As the gods are my witness, you shall be mine. AIDA Do not break your oath! As a hero I loved you, if you swear false, I cannot. RADAMÈS Do you doubt my love, Aida? AIDA But how can you escape from Amneris’ wiles, from the King’s command, from the people’s will, from the wrath of the priests? RADAMÈS Hear me, Aida Ethiopia has awakened, eager for fierce, new battles. Your people have already invaded, and I shall lead the Egyptians again. Then, in the midst of the triumph, kneeling before the King, I shall open my heart. You shall be my victor’s wreath; and we shall live, blessed by undying love. AIDA And do you not fear Amneris’s wrath? Her vengeance, like a thunderbolt, will strike me, my father and my people. RADAMÈS I shall defend you. AIDA It would be in vain. Yet, if you love me, there is still an escape for us. RADAMÈS What is it? AIDA To flee – RADAMÈS To flee! AIDA Let us flee from the scorching sun of this desert land. A new fatherland reveals itself to our love. There, in the virgin forests, fragrant with sweet flowers, we shall forget the world in blessed joy. RADAMÈS You asked me to flee with you to a foreign land? To abandon my fatherland and the altars of our gods? This land where I first plucked the flowers of glory, this land where first we loved – how can we forget it? AIDA There, in the virgin forest, etc. RADAMÈS The land where we loved, etc. AIDA Beneath my country’s freer skies it will be granted to us to love. There, in the same temples we shall worship the same gods, etc. RADAMÈS To abandon my fatherland etc. AIDA Let us flee – RADAMÈS (hesitating) Aida! AIDA You do not love me – go! RADAMÈS Not love you! No man, no god has ever burned with such a love! AIDA Go, go – Amneris is waiting for you at the altar – RADAMÈS No, never! AIDA Never, you say? Then the headman’s axe will fall on me, on my father – RADAMÈS Ah no! Let us flee together. Yes, let us flee, far from these walls, let us flee, together, to the desert. Here there is nothing but misfortune, there we shall find a heaven of love, the never ending desert will be our wedding-bed, the stars will shine upon us with a purer, brighter light! AIDA In the happy land of my fathers, heaven awaits us. There the breeze blows sweet over that perfumed land of flowers. Cool valleys and green fields will be our wedding-bed. The stars will shine upon us with a purer, brighter light! AIDA and RADAMÈS Come with me, we shall flee together, from this land of sorrow. Come with me, I love you, and love shall be our king. AIDA But tell me – how can we avoid the Egyptian legions? RADAMÈS The route by which my men will march against the enemy will be free until tomorrow. AIDA And that route is? RADAMÈS The pass of Napata. (Amonasro comes forward.) AMONASRO The pass of Napata! My men will be there! RADAMÈS Who has overheard us? AMONASRO Aida’s father, the King of the Ethiopians! RADAMÈS (excitedly) You – Amonasro! You – the King! O gods! What have I done? No, it cannot be, it cannot be! I dream, I am raving mad! AIDA Ah no! Be calm. Listen to me, trust my love. AMONASRO Aida’s love for you will build you a throne! RADAMÈS I am dishonoured! dishonoured! For you I have betrayed my country! AIDA Be calm! AMONASRO No! You are not guilty, it was the will of Fate. RADAMÈS I am dishonoured! AIDA Ah, no! RADAMÈS For you I have betrayed my country! AMONASRO No: You are not guilty. AIDA Be calm... AMONASRO Come – beyond the Nile my brave and faithful men are waiting. There, love shall fulfil the wishes of your, heart. Come! (Amneris, Ramfis, the priests and guards come out from the temple.) AMNERIS Traitor! AIDA My rival! AMONASRO (throwing himself upon Amneris with drawn dagger) You have come to defeat my plans. You shall die! RADAMÈS (coming between them) Stop, madman! AMONASRO Oh, fury! RAMFIS Guards, look out! RADAMÈS (to Aida and Amonasro) Quickly! flee! AMONASRO (dragging Aida) Come, my daughter. RAMFIS (to the guards) After them! RADAMÈS (to Ramfis) Priest, I am in your hands. Scene One A hall in the King’s palace (Left, a great door leading to the underground judgement chamber. A passage, right, leads to Radamès cell.) AMNERIS (sadly, standing before the door) My hated rival has escaped. Radamès awaits, from the hands of the priests, the traitor’s punishment. But he is not a traitor, even if he revealed the secret plan. He meant to flee – with her! Traitors all! Death to them – death! Oh, what am I saying? I love him, I still love him, with a mad, a desperate love, which is killing me. Oh! if only he might love me! I should like to save him. How? I shall try! Guards, bring Radamès to me. (Radamès enters escorted by guards.) The priests even now are in counsel, deciding you fate. But you can still establish your innocence in answer to the dread accusations. Clear yourself, and I shall ask pardon for you from the King. In that way, I can bring both pardon and life you. RADAMÈS The judges shall never hear me try to defend myself. Before the gods and man I feel myself neither traitors no guilty. My incautious words revealed the secret, it is true. But both my thought and my honour remain unstained by guilt. AMNERIS Then defend yourself – save yourself. RADAMÈS No. AMNERIS You will die – RADAMÈS Life is hateful to me. The source of all joy is now dry, every hope is gone. I wish only to die. AMNERIS To die! Ah, you must live! Yes, you shall live in my love. For you, I have already felt the horrible anguish of death. I loved, I suffered, I passed the nights in tears. My country, my throne, my life – I should give up all for you. RADAMÈS For her, I too betrayed my country and my honour. AMNERIS Do not speak of her! RADAMÈS Infamy is my lot – and you ask me to live? You brought me to the depths of misery, you took Aida from me. Perhaps, because of you, she is dead – and you offer me my life? AMNERIS Aida dead, because of me? No, she is alive! RADAMÈS She is alive! AMNERIS In the desperate flight of the fleeing hordes only her father died. RADAMÈS And she? AMNERIS She disappeared, nothing is known of her. RADAMÈS May the gods lead her safely to her home. May she never know the fate of the one who will die for her! AMNERIS If I save you, swear to me that you will never see her again. RADAMÈS I cannot! AMNERIS If you renounce her forever, you will live! RADAMÈS I cannot! AMNERIS Once more – renounce her. RADAMÈS It is in vain. AMNERIS Madman – you insist on dying? RADAMÈS I am ready to die! AMNERIS Who will save you, wretch, from the fate which awaits you? You have changed into hatred a love which had no equal. Only heaven can now avenge my tears, etc. RADAMÈS Death is the greatest good, if I may die for her; In going to meet my fate my heart will know great joy; I have no fear of mortal wrath, your pity is the only thing I fear, etc. AMNERIS Ah, who will save him?... Only heaven, etc. (Radamès goes out, surrounded by guards.) AMNERIS (she falls desolately into a chair) Alas! I shall die! Oh, who will save him? And it was I who cast him into their hands! Now I curse my jealously, which brought his death and eternal mourning in my heart! (She turns and sees the priests, who are going down into Radamès’s underground prison.) Ah, there they are – the pitiless ministers of death! Oh, may I not see them, these white-robed ghouls! (She covers her face with her hands.) And it was I who cast him into their hands! etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS (in the vault) Spirit of the gods, descend upon us! Let thy eternal ray enlighten us; let our lips pronounce thy justice. AMNERIS O gods, take pity on my anguished heart! He is innocent – save him, O gods! My grief is desperate, overwhelming! RAMFIS and PRIESTS Spirit of the gods, etc. AMNERIS Oh, who will save him? I shall die! (Radamès, surrounded by guards is led into the vault. Amneris, seeing him, cries out.) RAMFIS (in the vault) Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You revealed your country’s secrets to the enemy! Defend yourself. PRIESTS Defend yourself. RAMFIS He is silent. ALL Traitor! AMNERIS Ah, pity! He is innocent! Pity! O gods! RAMFIS Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You deserted your command on the eve of battle. Defend yourself. PRIESTS Defend yourself. RAMFIS He is silent. ALL Traitor! AMNERIS Ah, pity! Ah, save him! Pity, O gods! RAMFIS Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You betrayed your country, your King, your honour. Defend yourself. PRIESTS Defend yourself. RAMFIS He is silent. ALL Traitor! AMNERIS Ah, pity! Ah, save him! Pity, O gods! RAMFIS and PRIESTS Radamès, your fate is decided; you shall die a traitor’s death. Beneath the altar of the offended god, you, living, shall be entombed. AMNERIS Entombed alive! Oh, the villains! their thirst for blood is never appeased – yet they call themselves heaven’s ministers! RAMFIS and PRIESTS Traitor! AMNERIS (assailing the priests as they come up from the vault) Priests – you have committed a crime! Infamous, bloodthirsty beasts – you outrage the gods and man, punishing the innocent! RAMFIS and PRIESTS He is a traitor! He shall die. AMNERIS (to Ramfis) Priest, this man whom you send to death, you know well, I once loved. The curse of a broken heart, together with his blood, will fall upon you! You outrage the gods, etc. Ah, he is no traitor...have mercy, etc. RAMFIS and PRIESTS He is a traitor! He shall die. (They go out slowly.) AMNERIS Impious brood! My curse upon you! Heaven’s vengeance will strike you! Scene Two Interior of the Temple of Vulcan and Ramadès’s tomb (The scene is divided into two levels. The upper part represents the interior of the Temple of Vulcan, resplendent with gold and light; the lower lever, a vault. Long rows of arches disappear into the darkness. Colossal statues of Osiris, with crossed hands, hold up the pilasters of the vault. Radamès is seated on the steps by which he has descended into the vault. Above, two priests are carefully replacing the stone which seals the vault.) RADAMÈS The fatal stone has closed above me. This is my tomb. Never again shall I see the light of day, nor see Aida. Aida – where are you? May you at least live happily, never knowing My horrid fate. A sigh? A ghost, a vision – no, this is a human form! Heaven – Aida! AIDA Yes, I. RADAMÈS You, in this tomb! AIDA In my heart, I sensed your fate. Secretly I came into this tomb opened to receive you. And here, far from every human eye, I have chosen to die with you! RADAMÈS To die – so pure, so lovely! To die, for love of me! In the flowering of your youth, to give up your life! Heaven created you for love, yet I in loving you have killed you! No, you shall not die! I have loved you too much, you are too lovely to die! AIDA (in a delirium) See? The angel of death, with shining wings, comes near, to bear us to eternal joys upon his golden wings. Above us heaven is opening. There, every sorrow ends, and there joy begins, the joy of immortal love. (From above are heard the hymns of the priests and priestesses invoking the gods.) PRIESTS and PRIESTESSES Great Phtha, life-giving spirit of the world, ah! We invoke thee! AIDA How sad a song! RADAMÈS The joy of the priests! AIDA Our funeral hymn. RADAMÈS (trying to move the stone which closes the vault) Nor does my strength suffice to move thee, O fatal stone! AIDA It is useless! On earth, all is finished for us. RADAMÈS (with sad resignation) It is true! (He comes back to Aida, to sustain her.) AIDA O Earth, farewell – farewell, vale of tears, dream of joy which vanished into sorrow. Heaven opens to us, our wandering souls fly fast towards the light of eternal day, etc. AIDA and RADAMÈS O Earth, farewell, etc. Ah! Heaven opens for us, etc. PRIESTS and PRIESTESSES Mighty Phtha, etc. (Aida sinks into the arms of Radamès. Amneris enters< the Temple, dressed in mourning, and prostrates herself on the stone which seals the vault.) AIDA and RADAMÈS ...O Earth, farewell, etc. Heaven opens to us! AMNERIS I pray for thy peace...beloved, lifeless body; May Isis, placated, receive you into Heaven! PRIESTS and PRIESTESSES Mighty Phtha! AMNERIS Peace, I implore of you! Peace, peace, peace! END |
| libretto by Dale McAdoo |